Sheffield’s verges are spruced up for spring

It’s a case of the mow the merrier for Streets Ahead highways contractor Amey as it begins grass cutting on roadside verges across Sheffield.

Following a delivery of new equipment, work to keep the verges across the city trim throughout the spring, summer and early autumn has begun.

Amey received a delivery of 32 new mowers last month which will help carry out grass cutting as part of the Streets Ahead programme and keep the city’s highways infrastructure in good shape on behalf of Sheffield City Council.

“It’s a very physical and challenging job,” says highways supervisor, Paul Elms, “Especially if you are walking behind a mower all day. We cut more than two million square metres of highway verges, which adds up to a lot of miles.

“We’ve had a later start than anticipated with the prolonged bad weather, but with spring well under way, about 40 Streets Ahead workers will be out trimming the verges on new mowers provided by our supply chain partner, HSS.”

In preparation for the summer months, teams of workers will clear litter from verges before mowing the grass and clearing any excess clippings from footpaths and roads afterwards.

They will then return at regular intervals throughout the season until October.

The Streets Ahead contract also includes brightening up 14 traffic islands that are sponsored by companies and other organisations. A separate team has the job of carrying out spring and summer planting, to make the areas look bright and seasonal.

Paul continued, “It’s really important for the areas, which are viewed by so many on a daily basis, to look welcoming and well maintained.

“We’ve listened to and worked closely with the local Park Hill residents Association and recently completed a major improvement scheme on Park Square roundabout. Part of this included removal of unsightly shrub beds and large amounts of hazardous sharps and replacing them with wild flowers, making for a much more open and inviting space overall and the results are brilliant.

“For many, Park Square roundabout is the gateway to the city so first impressions are really important.”

The £2.2bn 25-year Streets Ahead programme extends to the resurfacing of highways and footpaths, improvements to bridges and other highways structures and a pioneering switch to LED street lighting.